Definition of Terms

Arbitration: A process for resolving disputes where an outside person, called an arbitrator, decides how to resolve the issues. When the arbitrator makes a decision on the issues in the dispute, their decision is final.

Cohabitation Agreement: A contract between spouses that describes the terms of their spousal relationship and how to settle issues between them if their relationship ends.

Child support: An amount of money that one parent must pay to the other parent to help cover the costs of raising their children. A person doesn't have to be a biological parent to pay child support. Step-parents or someone else acting as a parent can also pay child support.

Domestic Contract: A general name for any written contract that describes the terms of relationships and separations. Domestic contracts include cohabitation agreements, marriage contracts, and separation agreements.

Division of Property: A process that spouses use at the end of a spousal relationship to divide what they own, including physical things and any financial assets.

Economic Abuse: A form of abuse where the abuser controls their partner by making it difficult for them to be financially independent.

Matrimonial Home: Any home that a couple owned and lived in together as spouses immediately before separation.

Mediation: A process for resolving disputes at the end of a relationship using a mediator. The job of the mediator is to help people talk to each other and find a way to agree about how to settle their disagreements.

Marriage Contract: A written agreement between spouses that outlines the terms of the spousal relationship and how to settle issues between them if the relationship ends.

Separation Agreement: A contract between spouses who are separating that outlines how to settle the issues between them.

Spouse: The legal name for people in relationships that involve emotional and financial dependence. Usually "spouse" refers to couples in long term romantic relationships. Different laws have different criteria for what constitutes spouse.

Spousal Support: An amount of money a spouse with the higher income pays to the other spouse when their relationship ends.